Federal grand jury in Nebraska indicts drug suspects

A federal grand jury has returned indictments related to a pair of major drug arrests recently in Nebraska.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska reports Michael Melchior and Peggy Brennan, both of Chicago, Illinois, are charged with conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

Lancaster County Sheriff deputies arrested them February 19, 2016, in possession of what investigators say was two-point-four million dollars in drug money.

Rahman Nabavi and Isabel Mallar, both of Georgia, face the same conspiracy to distribute charges.

They were pulled over January 19, 2016, by Lancaster County Sheriff deputies who found 1,517 pounds of marijuana contained in one pound, individually-wrapped, heat-sealed bags. The value is estimated at $7.5 million.

If convicted, Melchior and Brennan face a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and $2,000,000 fine. Nabavi and Mallar could be sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined $1,000,000, if convicted.